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Home » Parenting » 14 Simple Ways to Connect with Kids After School

14 Simple Ways to Connect with Kids After School

By Krissy of B-Inspired Mama 10 Comments

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Have Trouble Connecting With The Kids After School?

I know we’re always hearing parents joke about how glad they are to “send the kids back” when school starts.  And while we homeschool now, I was once a public-school parent, so I’ve totally been there.  Some days I want to send the kids back to public school; trust me!  But I’ve also been in the position of missing my littles while they’re at school all day and struggling to connect with them in the limited time we had together after school each day.  So I thought I’d gather up some simple ways to connect with kids after school – from last week’s Kids Co-Op Link Party – for my mama friends who have to be away from their kids all day.   Let’s check ’em out…

12 Simple Tips for Connecting with Kids After School + The Kids Co-Op Link Party at B-Inspired Mama

14 Simple Ways to Connect with Kids After School

  1. Get Kids Involved in Routines & Chores – If you instill good routines for getting chores and homework done from the get-go, you’ll have more time to connect after they’re done.  And most kids love feeling important and working on chores along-side mom or dad.  Check out how JDaniel4’s Mom set up her after school and bedtime chore charts here (and print your own, too!).
  2. Play Outside – After spending most of their day in a school, the kids could really use some nature!  It doesn’t have to take much time; set up a relay race or try one of these simple outdoor games from Jen’s RAQ.
  3. Ride Bikes – Take a bike ride around the neighborhood.  Or surprise the kids by mowing a bike track in the backyard like Life With Moore Babies did.
  4. Take a Walk – Go for a calming walk with the kids.  It would be a great time to talk about their day.  Or make it a Listening Walk with this idea from Fantastic Fun and Learning.
  5. Go On a Hike -If you have a little more time, take a longer hike in nature.  Check out Adventure in a Box’s post about hiking with children.
  6. Play Playdough – I don’t know any kid – young or old – who wouldn’t at least squish it a little if playdough were waiting for them when they got home from school.  But make sure to sit down and play, too, Mama!  Try this recipe for Marshmallow Playdough from My Big Fat Happy Life.
  7. Have a Tea Party – Okay – so this one would probably be for the littles, but how excited would they be if you turned after school snack into a fun tea party?!  Check out MakingMamaMagic’s Pretend Play Tea Party for inspiration.
  8. Play a Game – I know games can be time consuming, but this doesn’t have to be very night.  Think about making a certain night of the week a family game night.  You could play an education game – like one of these counting games from Buggy and Buddy – or your kids’ favorite board game.
  9. Try Some Sensory Play – Sensory play is calming to some kids (especially my kids with SPD) after an over-stimulating day of school.  If you sit nearby – or play, too! – it could be a perfect time to chat with your little about her day.  Try one of these sensory play ideas that were shared last week: Junk Yard Sensory Bin, Sand & Rock Box, or Glittery Calm Down Bottles.
  10. Listen to Them Read – Do they have reading homework?  Take advantage of little moments like this to be attentive and listen to their reading.  If they’re just beginning their reading adventures, check out these recommendations for emergent readers from Sunshine & Hurricanes and easy reader books from What Do We Do All Day?.
  11. Read TO Them – I don’t mean just homework reading; I mean snuggling up on the couch with a fun children’s book or chapter book.  Trust me, even big kids love being read to.  Sunlit Pages shares 3 favorite children’s books here or check out these rhyming books for the littler ones.
  12. Cook or Pack Lunches With Them – Don’t have much time aside from your own chores?  Then get the kids involved in helping you!  Give them specific jobs to help cook dinner or pack their own lunches for the next day.
  13. Snuggle & Make Shadow Puppets – Don’t forget that (finally!) calm moment when you’re tucking your kiddo in at night.  Take a minute to snuggle, hug, and maybe make some shadow puppets while you’re at it!  Or try this more structured shadow sensory play if you have time to calm them before bed.
  14. JUST BE THERE – Even if you can only manage a small amount of time, make sure to carve out some undivided attention for your child.  It doesn’t even have to be one of the above activities, but could be meeting them right where they are, doing right what they are doing at that moment.  Just BE with them and follow their lead.

Did ya check ‘em out?  Which would work best for you and your kids after school?  Would you add anything to the list?  Share in the comments below!


Krissy of B-Inspired Mama Signature

 

More Ideas to Connect with Kids from B-Inspired Mama:

10 Tips - from moms - to Make Family Dinner Time More Meaningful at B-Inspired Mama   7 Family Home Evening Ideas that are Free and Fun - Made Easy with Papa Johns at B-Inspired Mama

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Filed Under: Parenting, Play and Learning Tagged With: Back to School, Connecting, Parenting, The Weekly Kids Co-Op

About Krissy of B-Inspired Mama

Former M.Ed Art Teacher. Current Blogger & Social Media Influencer. Always Crazy & Creative Mama of 3.

Previous Post: « Kids in the Kitchen – Strawberry Octopus
Next Post: Free Printable Booklets to Encourage Healthy Habits in Kids »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Katie Pinch says

    August 27, 2014 at 1:12 AM

    Great tips for helping parents stay connected! Thanks for sharing at the #lovetolearnlinky.

    Reply
  2. Aubrey says

    August 25, 2014 at 10:28 AM

    This is a great list. My Mom always made time for me after school and helped me process all that had happened that day. It means the world to me now, looking back and realizing what she was doing all those years. Super-important.

    Reply
  3. shelah@mosswoodconnections.com says

    August 21, 2014 at 12:19 PM

    What great suggestions for keeping kids connected after school!

    Reply
    • Krissy @ B-Inspired Mama says

      August 24, 2014 at 5:07 PM

      Thanks!

      Reply
  4. Natalie says

    August 21, 2014 at 6:49 AM

    Hi Krissy. Thanks so much for including our Tea Party with the awesome features this week!

    Reply
    • Krissy @ B-Inspired Mama says

      August 21, 2014 at 10:46 AM

      You’re so welcome! Thanks for your support of the Kids Co-Op.

      Reply
  5. Barb @ A Life in Balance says

    August 21, 2014 at 5:30 AM

    Thanks for hosting!

    Great suggestions for connecting with your kids. Last night, I took my 10 year old son for a walk with me around the neighborhood. I’m concerned about his recent weight gain, plus he’s one of my kids who keeps to himself a lot. I committed to myself to walk with him daily, and I need to tell him that, too.

    Reply
    • Krissy @ B-Inspired Mama says

      August 21, 2014 at 10:47 AM

      That’s awesome!

      Reply
  6. Yuliya says

    August 21, 2014 at 12:06 AM

    Thanks so much for hosting! Those are some great suggestions for after school! My son is only two and he’s not going to school yet, but I still love doing a lot of the suggestions you listed 🙂 With everything we have going on, it’s nice to have a reminder to really focus on our children!

    Reply
    • Krissy @ B-Inspired Mama says

      August 21, 2014 at 10:47 AM

      Thanks, Yuliya! Yes, they’re great for ALL kids and parents. 🙂

      Reply

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